Srikhola, Darjeeling

Srikhola, Darjeeling

Srikhola (also known as Sirikhola) is a lovely scenic village in Darjeeling district. There are trekking routes from Sadakphu and Phalut that pass through Srikhola towards Manebhanjan. You can also come here by road from Darjeeling or NJP/Siliguri. 

From Sandakphu, the trek route to Srikhola comes via Gurdum over a distance of 16kms. While from Phalut, you will need to come through Gorkey and Rammam traversing a distance of 36kms through forests of magnolia, chestnuts, oaks and rhododendrons. 

Srikhola is a small picturesque village located about 87 Km from Darjeeling town. It takes about 4-5 hours tiring journey from Darjeeling. It is, in fact, the last and the farthest polling station of the Darjeeling constituency. The nearest town is Rimbik, which is 8 Kms from the place, Rimbik itself is a least populated, small town with few shops and some houses, but most of the surrounding villages depend on this little town for their household commodities.

   

Being located by the side of the river, it is expected that many rooms and vantage places would have lovely views of the mountain stream flowing down. The open patio or the terrace is one such place to get wonderful view of the river. 

Another thing the owner boasts of... Hotel Shovraj has far more number of rooms than any other hotel in Srikhola. In fact I was a bit surprised to find that in a small and not so well known mountain hamlet such as Srikhola, the owner has the courage to run a hotel which has such large accommodation with capacity of 70 heads including rooms and cottages of different types, which actually beats many large hotels in Darjeeling. All rooms are wooden. 

Hotel Shovraj and Srikhola River

Hotel Shovraj, Srikhola 

The road has now been tarred (Hotel Shovraj) 

The road up to Hotel Shovraj, Srikhola has been tarred by PWD (see the above picture). So you can take any car and reach up to the hotel. 

 Srikhola is a beautiful scenic hamlet in Darjeeling District which falls in the trekking route from Phalut and Sandakphu towards Darjeeling and Siliguri. The small river following its meandering course bears the name of Sri and Khola in the Lepcha language means small river and hence the name Srikhola. This village is an admirable halt for trekkers coming down from Sandakphu or Phalut. It offers lovely natural beauty and peace and quiet for the tired travelers. Stay here overnight and start for Rimbik the next day to catch a conveyance to Darjeeling or Siliguri. 

For low budget travelers there are also dormitory beds. However the best accommodations are the all-wooden cottages, and they all have LED TV with DTH Connection, intercom phones, river view veranda, attached bath with western or Indian toilets. Even the cottages are of different sizes like double bedded, 3 bedded, 5 bedded, 7 bedded etc. All cottages can accommodate an extra person each at an additional cost. 

They usually offer rates that includes all meals (i.e. AP plan) including breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks, dinner (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian). 

Srikhola falls on the famous Sandakphu, Phalut trek route, from Sandakphu it is 16 Kms steep downhill trail through the dense forest, and the only village on the way, likely to serve refreshment is a small place called Gurdum. Srikhola from Phalut is about 30 km through the thick forest of rhododendron and magnolia, it passes through the scenic villages of Gorkhey and Rammam.

Srikhola is preferred by most of the trekkers as a place for relaxation after trekking to Sandakphu and Phalut, it is an ideal location for spending some time and explore the beauty of this place. It is a thrill to plunge into the icy cold water of the Srikhola river or even try out fishing, there are trout as well as other fishes in the river. If time permits it is worth visiting jarayo lake, which is regarded as a sacred lake by the locals.

What to See & Do in Srikhola? 

It's a paradise for nature lovers. Here are the main attractions in Srikhola: 

1) Beautiful meandering & bouncing Srikhola river. Sit on the bank and enjoy. 

2) Hanging wooden bridge. 

3) Beautiful landscape with wooden cottages having flowering gardens. 

4) Srikhola is located at the foothill of Singalila National Park. You can visit the park and see animals like Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer etc in natural habitat. Of course you must be lucky to spot them. 

5) In season, you can see a range of flowers like rhododendrons, magnolia and orchids. 

6) Walk through the forest of birch, oaks and pine trees and enjoy the atmosphere. 

7) Do fishing in the river ... lots of trout fish. Shovraj Hotel provides fishing gears. 

8) Visit gardens of cardamom (large variety), peas and corn. 

9) Spot birds like sparrows and blue magpie. 

10) Take a sightseeing tour of Srikhola Village and visit monastery, temple and the hanging wooden bridge. 

11) Take short trekking tours and visit nearby villages like Rammam village, Timburey & Gurdum village, the holy lake known as Jareao Pokhri etc. 

Srikhola Climate (Average Temperatures) 

December to January : 5° - 9°C 

February to March : 8° - 18°C 

April to May : 12° - 22°C 

June to September : 15° - 29°C 

October to November : 10° - 20°C 

Best time to visit Srikhola 

April to May, and October to November are the best times to visit Srikhola.... less or no rains, relatively mild temperature, clear sky. 

some picture of sriknola(natural beauty)

HOW TO GO FROM SILIGURI TO DARJEELING

DISTANCE BETWEEN SILIGURI TO DARJEELING

The driving distance between Siliguri and Darjeeling is 60 km, while the aerial distance from Siliguri to Darjeeling is 36 km

HOW TO REACH

No direct flights or trains or buses are available between Siliguri to Darjeeling.The convenient, fastest and cheapest way to reach from Siliguri to Darjeeling is to take a taxi from Siliguri to Darjeeling.

Alternatively you can take a shared jeep from Siliguri at 'Darjeeling More' (leaves at round 1pm). Shared jeeps are also available from Darjeeling (6am-7am, 11am-2pm). Note that shared jeeps from Siliguri usually go up to Rimbik, but if you pay a bit extra, they will drop you up at Srikhola. However from Darjeeling, the shared jeeps always go up to Srikhola as their scheduled destination. 

Siliguri/NJP to Manebhanjan route takes over 4 hours and goes via Mirik, while Darjeeling to Manebhanjan takes about 1.5 hours by car. From Manbhanjan, Srikhola is another 3.5 hours by car. 

Where to stay in Srikhola? 

There are few private hotels also in Srikhola. 

1) Hotel Shovraj: It's located by the river side, has plenty of rooms with 1 to 10 beds with attached as well as common toilets. They have a few cottages with river view balconies and an in-house restaurant as well. This is the best hotel in Srikhola. Go through this link to get more information about the hotel including pictures. 

Hotel Shovraj, Sirikhola, PO-Rimbick, Darjeeling-734201. 

Phone: (+91) 9933488243/ 9932216197/ 9832375546/ 7797989938. 

Email: info@hotelshovraj.com; shubha_91@yahoo.com 

 some pic of hotel and out side

2) Goparma Lodge: Tshering Sherpa, a very cordial and friendly man runs this budget hotel. The hotel has 7 rooms including double, 4 and 5 bedded rooms with attached or common baths. Mobile: +91-9733261799. Hot water is provided in buckets. 

Return from Srikhola by road 

There are two shared jeep services from Srikhola, one at 6am and the other at around 11:30am. Both go to Darjeeling via Manebhanjan, Sukhiapokhri and Ghoom. You should get the shared jeep ticket in advance for your return journey from Srikhola. If you want to go to Siliguri/NJP, get off at Manebhanjan or Sukhiapokhri and take another shared jeep. You can also ask your hotel to book a reserved Jeep. 

Trek from Srikhola to Rimbik 

Some trekkers on their return route from Sandakphu or Phalut end the trek at Srikhola and take a jeep from Srikhola for onward travel to Darjeeling or NJP. However most prefer to continue the trek up to Rimbik. The road initially rises and then levels out at Rimbik. From Srikhola the distance to Rimbik is 7kms and takes about 2-hours walk. Rimbik is a small village and there is a village market (bazaar) here. You get a marvelous view of Darjeeling hill town from Rimbik. 


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